Destinations

Activity

Tour Type

Accommodation

Physical Level

Strenuous

Season

January - December

Good to know

Operated by Kalpak Travel, the leading Central Asia specialists

Small group tour: max 12 people

Guaranteed departures

Expert local guides

24/7 support

Mixing the great outdoors with a liberal helping of adrenaline, the breathtaking scenery of Kazakhstan and its neighbour Kyrgyzstan form the photogenic backdrop to a fortnight of action-packed adventure. You'll mountain bike the city of Almaty and the valleys bordering China in the northeast of Kyrgyzstan. You'll hike high into the mountain valleys of rural Kyrgyzstan to viewpoints with uninterrupted panoramas of mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks topping out at over 5000m. You'll swim in pristine mountain lakes, and ride horses across serene meadows. Amidst such incredible scenery, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to engage with the local communities along the way, learning about nomadic lifestyle, and sleeping in traditional yurts. You’d be hard pushed to find a more hospitable welcome anywhere on the planet.

Itinerary

What you'll see and do

Day 1

Arrival - Almaty by bike

You’ll arrive bright and early for your first day in Kazakhstan. After checking into your hotel you’ll have the opportunity to rest before your city tour begins. As the largest city in Kazakhstan, Almaty is the country’s business and education centre. After grabbing bikes, you’ll head on a tour of the city’s most memorable sights, including Zenkov Cathedral, which was built in 1904 without a single metal nail. This impressive building is one of the world’s tallest wooden structures.

Includes:
breakfast,
lunch,
dinner

Example accommodation

Hotel Kazzhol

A modern hotel in the heart of the city with free WiFi, an indoor swimming pool and traditional Kazakhstan cuisine.

Day 2

Almaty – Charyn Canyon – Kaindy Lake – Satty Village

A long but exciting day awaits! After an early breakfast your guide will take you to one of the most famous natural sights in the country - Charyn Canyon. Often compared to the Grand Canyon in the US (though much smaller in size), this canyon is known for its unusual rock formations. You’ll walk down to the river and have a picnic lunch before driving onto Kaindy Lake. In the evening you’ll stay in the village of Satty.

Includes:
breakfast,
lunch,
dinner

Example accommodation

Satty Family Guesthouse

A simple family home with a warm welcome and comfortable, if basic, rooms.

Day 3

Satty – Kegen border – Karkara Valley

Another long day with an early morning start. After driving through the picturesque Karkara valley you’ll have a picnic lunch at the Kegan border before embarking upon the start of your three-day cycling tour. It begins with a 20km ride along the Karkara River at around 200m elevation, where you’ll have dinner and camp for the evening.

Includes:
breakfast,
lunch,
dinner

Example accommodation

Overnight in tents

Enjoy a night in a tent by the Karkara River, at 2,500m altitude. Bring warm clothes as temperatures can drop in the evening.

Day 4

Biking: Kyzyl-Moinok Pass to Sary Jaz

You can choose to cycle or drive 35km along the Karkara River to Kyzyl-Moinok Pass (3,370m). Once you reach the top, it’s a 20km ride downhill to wild Sary-Jaz River, where you’ll stop to camp overnight.

Includes:
breakfast,
lunch,
dinner

Example accommodation

Overnight in tents

Enjoy a night in a tent by the Sary-Jaz River, at 2,900m altitude.

Day 5

Biking: Chon-Ashu Pass – Karakol

The day begins with a 20km descent along the Sary-Jaz River, before a 30km ascent to the Chon-Ashu pass (3,825km). The ascent can be done by car, if you wish. From the top you will descend for another 20km to the forest zone, where a truck will drive you to the town of Karakol.

Includes:
breakfast,
lunch,
dinner

Example accommodation

Hotel Amir

A modern, basic but comfortable hotel in the heart of the small town of Karakol, this hotel offers a Russian steam bath, free WiFi and modern rooms. The perfect place to relax after two nights of camping.

Day 6

Trekking in Karakol Valley

Wake up after a relaxing nights sleep in the hotel. This will be the first of your three-day trek, with a two-hour minibus transfer to the Karakol valley, where the walking begins. You will hike for around two-three hours to reach the “Orphan” Mountaineer Shelter, where you’ll have dinner and set-up camp.

Includes:
breakfast,
lunch,
dinner

Example accommodation

Overnight in tents

Day 7

Trekking: Ala Kul Lake

Lake Kul is often considered one of the highlights of the trip. At more than 70m deep, this glacial lake is a place of incomparable beauty. After a three-hour hike you will enjoy lunch by the lake before continuing onto Ala Kul Pass (3,890m), which offers uninterrupted views of Terskey Ala-Too mountains.

Includes:
breakfast,
lunch,
dinner

Example accommodation

Overnight in tents

Camping in the Kelidke Keldike Valley, 2,900m altitude.

Day 8

Trekking: Altyn Arashan - Karakol

The final day of your trek to Altyn Arashan. Leaving the campsite after breakfast, you’ll trek for 10km to the Altyn-Arashan valley. The valley is famous for its hot springs, which is a much-welcomed natural luxury after a three-day trek! After a picnic lunch, a Russian truck will take you back to Karakol. Dinner will be served by an Uighur family, and you’ll stay overnight in a hotel.

Includes:
breakfast,
lunch,
dinner

Example accommodation

Hotel Amir

Return to Hotel Amir for a Russian steam bath and free WiFi after two nights in the wilderness.

Day 9

Karakol – Issyk Kul Lake

After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll set out to discover Karakol. Your guide will take you on a tour of the city, including the wooden Dungan mosque, the Karakol Historical Museum and Lake Issyk Kul. From there you’ll head onto Skazka Canyon, which is awash with burnished reds, ochres and yellows from exposed sedimentary rocks. After a picnic at the canyon you will head onto a yurt camp at Tosor, where you’ll have the opportunity to swim before dinner.

Includes:
breakfast,
lunch,
dinner

Example accommodation

Overnight in yurt

Set on the banks of Issyk Kul - the second largest mountain lake in the world - this overnight yurt experience is like no other. Each yurt sleeps two-four people with western-style toilet and warm water showers.

Day 10

Tosor – Kochkor

Wake up on the banks of Issyk Kul and enjoy breakfast with a view before driving westwards along the southern shore of the lake. Your guide will introduce you to an eagle hunter and then stop at Kyzyl-Tutu, where you can learn how the locals make their yurts. The drive will take you past the Orto-Tokoi reservoir before arriving at Kochkor, where you’ll visit a workshop to see how traditional Kyrgyz felt carpets are made.

Includes:
breakfast,
lunch,
dinner

Example accommodation

Adamkalay Guesthouse

Spend the night in a local guesthouse, with simple but comfortable rooms, a shared western-style toilet and shower.

Day 11

Kochkor – Kyzart – Kilemche horse riding

After breakfast you’ll be driven to the village of Kyzart, where a local guide will meet you with horses. You’ll embark on a light trek to Kilemche “jailoo”, and then cross a large flat sea of grass called Kyzyl-Kiya jailoo. You’ll continue into the Chaar-Archa valley for lunch by the river and take in the views of the holy Baba-Ata mountain (4,400m). After lunch you’ll follow the trail to Kilemche jailoo for dinner in a family yurt camp.

Includes:
breakfast,
lunch,
dinner

Example accommodation

Overnight in shepherd’s yurt

A simple yurt in a shepherd community, with an outdoor pit toilet and no shower. Each yurt sleeps four people.

Day 12

Horseback: Kilemche – Song Kul Lake

Ride on towards Jaldyz Karagi pass (3,400m) over the Song-Kul Mountains and into the lake’s basin. You’ll experience wonderful views of Kilemche Jailoo from the previous day before heading down the slopes towards Song Jul lake. This mountain lake sits in the centre of Kyrgyzstan at 3,016m above sea level. The lake is known as the ‘nomad’s paradise’.

Includes:
breakfast,
lunch,
dinner

Example accommodation

Overnight in yurt

Enjoy stargazing in this remote location, only shared by a scattering of other yurts, sheep and horses. Each yurt sleeps two-four people with western-style toilet and warm water showers.

Day 13

Song Kul – Burana - Bishkek

Leaving the paradise of the nomads behind, you’ll be picked up and driven towards the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek. On the way you’ll stop at Burana Tower, which was built in the 11th-century in the medieval town of Balasagun. Climb up the winding staircase to enjoy stunning views of the Chun Valley. In the evening you’ll dine in Bishkeke.

Includes:
breakfast,
lunch,
dinner

Example accommodation

Park Hotel

Located in the heart of the city and just a 7-minute walk from Ala-Too Square, this hotel offers free WiFi, modern decor and an indoor swimming pool.

Day 14

Bishkek city tour & Burana Tower

The last full day of your adventure will be spent in Ala Archa National Park, around 30km outside of Bishkek. Hike for three hours to a beautiful waterfall for a picnic lunch before returning to the city. Your guide will then take you on a sightseeing tour, where you’ll have the opportunity to buy souvenirs at Osh Bazaar.

Includes:
breakfast,
lunch,
dinner

Day 15

Departure

After one final breakfast it's time for your transfer to the airport for your flight back home. Say goodbye to your companions and Central Asia - perhaps you'll return again soon!

Includes:
breakfast

Accommodation

This is an adventure tour with few of the comforts you are used to from everyday life back home. You'll be spending nights in tents and traditional yurt camps with (all necessary camping gear is provided). Facilities may be limited, including shared toilets and showers, and the occasional pit toilet. It's all part of the experience: bring your sense of adventure and you'll be guaranteed the trip of a lifetime!

What people are saying

F

Florian, Switzerland

04/10/2018

I spent 8 days in the wilderness, far away from civilisation. The missing signal was bothering in the beginning but felt comfortable and relaxing in time. Riding on the horseback up the mountain in an amazing landscape felt really like freedom. I made completely new experiences, which I probably never would have made in another place and I still think about the great time I spent.

A

Anders, Norway

15/08/2018

We really enjoyed our trip with Kalpak. Luca was very helpful with providing the necessary information before the trip, and he also customised the trip for us when we heard that we were the only two people on the tour we had chosen. Kalpak helped us to get to know the real, genuine Kyrgyzstan - which I'm really happy for. I would definitely recommend Kalpak to everyone who's thinking about traveling to Central Asia